1066 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 23, 1913. THE COAL ARD IROI TRADES. Thursday, May 22. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There was a substantial increase in the coal shipments at Scotch ports in the past week, the expansion taking place at Clyde and Fife ports. The aggregate clearances amounted to 361,598 tons, being 21 525 tons more than in the preceding week, and 96,563 over the quantity despatched in the corresponding week of last year. At Glasgow, 45 003 tons were despatched broad and 38 665 coastwise, the total o*t 83,665 tons comparing with 70,396 in the preceding week and 60 785 in the corresponding week of 1912 Tne lower Clyde p< rrs were mu ih busier than usuhI, the clearances being at Bowling 319 tons, Greenock 2,051, Irvine 3,702, Ardrossan 7,139, Troon 7,899, and Ayr 20 063—total 41,173 tons, against 29,8 8 in the preceding week and 41,811 in the corresponding week of last year. The better qualities of house coal have been in good demand for shipment. Steam coal has been in fair request at about former rates. The supply of splint coal has been large, but owing to the large quantities being taken under annual contracts, the enquiry has served to give a stability to prices, greater, perhaps, than might result for the actual current demand. Treble and double nuts have not been quite so firm. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current Last week’s prices. prices. Steam coal 13/6 to 14/ 13/6 to 14/ Ell 13/9 to 14/3 13/9 to 14/3 Splint 14/9 to 15/3 14/9 to 15/3 Treble nuts 13/ to 13/6 13/3 to 14/9 Double do 13/ to 13/6 13/3 to 14/9 Single do 12/9 to 13/ 13/ to 13/3 There has been a steady demand for house coal for home use at the slightly easier prices which have ruled for the past two or three weeks. A large business is being done in coals for manufacturing purposes, although some slackening in the consumption is noted at ironworks. IRON. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market has continued to be affected by the “squeeze” in warrants, and the difficulties of the“ bears’’have become rather more onerous than otherwise. The cash price of Cleveland warrants has been at 70s., while three months’ iron has been done at 61s. 4£d. per ton. Haematite warrants have been inactive, with sellers at 78s. 6d. f.o.b. Cumberland ports. The output of Scotch pig iron has been reduced to some extent by a strike of blastfurnacemen at Carron Iron Works, and there are now 90 furnaces in blast in Scotland compared with 92 last week, and 71 at this time last year. The foreign demand for Scotch pig iron is somewhat disappointing, but home consumption is well maintained, and appears to have rather profited by the high prices of Cleveland cash iron. Govan and Monkland are quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 74=?. 6d., Nos. 3, 73s.; Carnbroe, No. 1,77s. 6d., No. 3,73s. 6d.; Clyde, No. 1, 79s. 6d., No. 3, 74s. 6d.; Calder, Summerlee and Langloan, Nos. 1, 80s., Nos. 3, 75s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 80s. 6d., No. 3, 75s. 6d.; Coltness, No. 1, 98s., No. 3, 80s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 75s., No. 3, 74s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 76s.; Dal- mellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 75s., No. 3, 73s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 80s., No. 3, 75s.; Carron, at Grangemouth, No. 1, 81s., No. 3, 76s. per ton. Large deliveries of Scotch haematite are being made to local steelworks. The ship- ments of Scotch pig iron in the past week have been 1,921 tons abroad and 3.296 coastwise, the total of 5 217 tons comparing with 6,988 in the corresponding week of 1912. In the finished iron trade the orders are short of what is required to keep the works in full operation, and foreign competition is keen. Steelworks continue nearly all fully employed, but fresh orders are not so good as could be desired. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The coal shipments at Firth of Forth ports have fallen away to some extent, but this seems to have been more accidental than anything ebe, as there is no lack of orders, the collieries being well booked ahead, especially for whole coal. There has been a good business in steam coal. The shipments were at Granton 9,791 tons, Bo’ness 17,301, Grangemouth 31,455. Leith 42,106—total 103,653 tons, compared with 126 920 in the preceding week, and 113,879 in the corresponding week of last year. For treble and d >uble nuts there has been a good demand, but singles do not appear to have been quite so much wanted. Prints f.n b. L°Hh Current La t week’s prices. prices. Best screened steam coai 14/ 14/ Secondary qualities 12/6 to 12/9 12/6 to 12/9 Treble nuts 12/9 to 13/ 12/9 to 13/ Double do 12/6 to 12/9 12/6 to 12/9 Single do. 12/3 to 12/6 12/3 to 12/6 There has been a fair demand for small coals. Pearls are at Ils. 9d. to 12s. and dross 9s. 6d. to 10s. f.o.b. House coal is passing off in a satisfactory way for home use. The shipments of coal at Fife ports have been larger than usual, the clearances at Methil being exceptionally good, amounting to 76,915 At Burntisland 49,070 tons were despatched, Alloa 3,105, Dysart 1,780, Wemyss 1,147, Tayport 652, and Charleston 438—total 133,109, compared with 109,929 in the preceding week, and 48,560 in the corresponding week of 1912. There has been a good supply of vessels. The different kinds of coal have been in prett> even request, and treble and double nuts are rather more wanted. The inland business has been active, the household demand being better than usual at this season, owing to the coolness of the weather, and prices generally are well maintained. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Unscreened do First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do Current prices. 17/ to 17/6 15/ to 15/6 15/3 to 15/9 12/9 12/6 to 12/9 13/ to 13/3 12/3 to 12/9 Last week’s prices. 17/ to 17/6 15/ to 15/6 15/3 to 15/9 12/9 12/6 to 12/9 13/ to 13/6 12/3 to 12/9 lorthumbsrland, Durham and Cleveland. tfevcaitle-upon-Tyne. GOAL. During last week 112,945 tons of coal and 2,486 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne D ck, a decrease of 46 826 tons of coal and an increase of 2,256 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 46,122 tons of coal and 4 398 tons of c >ke, a decrease of 33,638 tons of coal and an increase of 1,826 tens of coke. The Bly th shipments totalled 73,440 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 25,146 tons. The general decreases are, of course, mainly due to the incidence of the Whitsuntide holidays. The Brussels Gasworks are enquiring for tenders of 120,000 tons of Durham gas coals for delivery over 12 months, offers to be in on June 3. Considerable enquiries for Yorkshire coals are circulating from the same source. The St. Gilles Gasworks, Brussels, are inviting tenders, due on May 26, of 20,000 tons of gas coals for similar delivery. The Louvain Gasworks, also, are stated to be enquiring for their annual supplies. An order for a cargo of steams for shipment to Alexandria during the first half of next month is stated to have gone to Yorkshire in preference to coming to Northumberland. The Broomhill collieries have contracted to supply the Russian Government with 11,000 tons of best steams for delivery at Cropstadt from June to September. The f.o.b. price is stated at between 15s. 6d. and 16s. The Caen Gaswo ks are said to have contracted for 12,000 tons of Durham gas bests at 25 fr. per ton delivered, a price equal to about 19s. per ton, after deducting the import duty of Is., or from 14s. to 14s. 6d., f.o.b., after reckoning freight at from 4s. 6d. to 5s. The coal is for delivery over 12 months commencing July. The French State Railways are enquiring for a supplementary quantity of 60,000 tons of coking smalls for delivery over 12 months. Such an order usually goes to Cardiff, but local producers are not without hope that, on the present occasion, a portion, at all events, of the allotment will come this way. A considerable amount of forward business continues to be done. A considerable quantity of best Bly th steams is stated to have been sold for delivery from January to December next year at 13s. 3d. per ton, f.o.b It is reported, aLo, that a large quantity of coal for such delivery would be taken if sellers would accept 13s , which is offered. Sellers, however, are more disposed to ask 13s. 6d. Quantities of coking coal have been sold over the next six months at 15*. per ton f.o.b. Ordinary unscreened Tyne bunkers for delivery over three months have changed owners at 14s. 6d. Enquiries for Tyne gas primes for delivery over 1914 have been made at offers, by merchants, of 13s., with 12s. for good second sorts, but business at these prices has not yet resulted. Sellers are offering Tyne primes for delivery up to the end of the year at 15s. 6d. A parcel of best Bly th steams is stated to have been sold for June shipment at 16s. There is a general slump in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment this week. Whilst colliery positions are still very good, supplies are plentiful, and buyers are holding off in order to force reductions. A shortage of tonnage appears to be looming on the horizon, which is causing some perturbation in the minds of shippers forward. Changes in prices during the week have been as follow :—Best steams, Blyths, are from 7|d. to 9d. per ton cheaper ; Tynes, 6d. to 9d. reduced; Tyne seconds, 3d. down ; unscreened, 6d. lower; smalls, Blyths, Is. fallen ; Tynes, 9d. cheaper; specials, 6d. decreased ; smithies, similarly reduced ; gas bests, 3d. to 9d. fallen; seconds, 3d. down; specials, 3d. lower; unscreened bunkers, Northumbrians, weaker; coking coal, 3d. down; foundry coke, Is. cheaper; and gas coke easier. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current Last week’s Steam coals:— prices. prices. Beat, Blyths (D.C.B.) 15/9 to 15/10A 16/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers, &c.) 15/6 to 15/9 16/ to 16/6 Secondary, Blyths 14/ 14/ D >. Tvnes (Hastings or West Hartleys) !4/ 14/3 Unscreened 13/ 13/6 Small, Blyths ,r 10/6 11/6 Do. Tynes 10/3 11/ Do. specials 11/6 12/ Other sorts:— Smithies 15/ to 15/6 15/6 to 16/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or H< Imside) ... 15/6 to 15/9 16/ Secondary gas coak (Pelaw Main or similar) 15/ 15/3 Special gas coals 15/9 16/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 14/9 to 15/6 14/9 to 15/6 Do. do. Northumbrians 13/ to 13/6 13/6 Coking coals 15/ to 15/6 15/3 to 15/9 Do. smalls .'. 15/ 15/ Hou»e coals 16/ to 17/ 16/ to 17/ Coke, foundry 27/ 27/6 Do. blast-furnace 24/ 24/6 Do. gas 17/6 to 18/ 18/ Sunderland. GOAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 70,720 tons of coal and no coke, as compared with 112 200 tons of coal and 1,225 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1912, being a decrease of 41,480 tons of coal and 1,225 tons of coke. There is very little change to record in the coal market, being quiet and easy for prompt shipment, but steady in tone for later positions; most descriptions of fuel have offered freely, and holders have shown more anxiety to clear off their prompt holdings. The gas coal trade is quieter. Smalls are also the turn easier. An active trade is passing in bunkers at the recent slight decline. A con- tract for 15,(0U tons good Durham bunkers is reported at 14s. 6d. f.o b., delivery over next year, and secondary qualities are offering at 14s. over 1914. Tne Caen Gas Works are said to nave purchased 12,000 tons of special wear gas on the basis of 14s. 6 i. f.o.b. The Brussels Gas Works are enquiring for 120,000 tons, delivery over 12 months, the Sc. Gdles Gas Works (near Brussels) also inviting tenders for 20 000 tons of Durham gas coal. Quotations are about as follow :— Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current Last week’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals ... 16/3 16/3 Secondary do. 15/3 15/ to 15/3 House coals:— Best house coals 18/ 17/6 Ordinary do. 17/ 16/6 Other sorts:— liRmhtnn screened 16/9 16/9 S.»uth Hetton do 16/6 16/6 Lambton unscreened 15/6 15/3 South Hetton do 15/6 15/3 Do. treble nuts 17/ 17/ Coking coals unscreened... 15/3 15/6 D ». smalls 15/ 15/3 Smithies 15/ 15/6 Peas and nuts 1, 17/6 17/6 Best bunkers 16/ 16/ Ordinary bunkers 15/ 15/ Ccke:— Foundry coke 27/6 27/ Blast-furnace coke (dlvrd. Teesside furnaces) 25/ 25/ Gas coke 18/ 17/ 10I8/ The outward freight market is steady, recent figures including coasting: London 3s., Havre 4s. 6d., Antwerp 4s. 3s., Calais 3s. 9d., Hamburg 3s. 6d. Bay : Bdbao 7s. 6d., St. Nazaire 5s. 6d., Oporto 9*. 6d. Baltic . Cronstadt 5«. 6d., Fairwater 4s. 6d., Libau 5s. 9d. Memel 4s. 9d, Kotka 5s. 3d., Riga 5s. 6d., Wyburg 6s. 3d. Mediterranean : Genoa 10s., Marseilles 9s. 6d., Leghorn 10s. 3d., Venice Ils. 3d., Port Said 10s., Las Palmas 9s. 3d., and River Plate 18s. 6d. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. GOAL. The fuel market presents few new features. There is only a limited business passing, but the state of the order book is a check to downward movement, notwithstanding prospective buyers’ efforts to lower values. At the same time, here and there, some shading of quotations by middle- men is reported. As is usual at this season of the year, the gas coal trade leans to quietness. Best Durham gas coal is in the neighbourhood of 15s. 9d., with second quality at 15s. Bunker coal continues in fairly good request. Ordinary Durhams run from 15s. to 15s. 3d. f.o.b., best kinds are 16s. 3d., and specials 17s. Household coal is quiet, with quotations ranging from 18s. to 19s. A good deal of coking coal is being tak^n up, and both unscreened and smalls range from 15s. to 16s. Coke keeps firm. Local consumption is on a heavy scale, and average blastfurnace qualities are 24s. 6d. to 25s. delivered at Teesside works. Foundry coke for shipment is in fair demand, and prices range from 27s. to 29s. f.o.b. Gashouse coke varies from 17s. to 18s. IRON. Business in Cleveland pig iron is on a very limited scale, and prices are not easy to fix. The struggle between the “ bulls” and the “bears ” in the warrant market continues, but some traders believe that the end of the squeeze is not far off. In the meantime, however, business is disorganised by the movements in warrants. This week Middlesbrough warrants have touched 69s. 6d. cash buyers, and have been down to 68s. cash buyers. No. 3 g m.b. Cleveland pig is now nominally in the neighbourhood of 67s. f.o.b, and could doubtless be bought at less, whilst No. 1 is offered freely at 69s., No. 4 foundry is put at 66s., No. 4 forge 64s., and mottled and white iron each 63s. 6d.—all for early delivery, offers to sell forward at below these rates failing to bring buyers into the market. Supply of east coast haematite pig still falls a little short of meeting early needs, but notwithstanding* this fact values show a slight down- ward tendency. For this month’s delivery of mixed numbers. 81s. to bls. 3d. rule, and rather less would be accepted for June business, whilst for delivery over periods in the second half of the year sales a»e being pressed at 80s. 6d. There is little new in foreign ore. Mai ket rates are still based on 20s. 6d. ex-ship Tees for best rubio, but business could doubtless be done at rather less. Orders for manufactured iron and steel are scarce, and in certain branches work is keenly competed for. At the time of writing quotations are unaltered, but reductions are looked for. South-West Lancashire. COAL. With the pits again upon regular work, the household demand is being overtaken and it is only in exceptional cases and special qualities where supplies may be said to be on the short side. Screened coal for forges and manufacturing purposes generally continues to go away in full quantities. Prices at pit (except where otherwise stated). Current Last week’s House coal:— prices. prices. Best ... 16/3 16/3 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 16/9 to 17/ 16/9 to 17/ Medium 14/6 14/6 Do. (f.o.b. Garston, net) 15/3 t<» 15/6 15/3 to 15/6 Kitchen 12/3 12/3 Common (f.o.b. Garston, net) 13/9 to 14/6 13/9 to 14/6 Screened forge coal Best screened steam coal 12/6 to 13/ 12/6 to 13/ (fob.) 14/ to 14/6 14/ to 14/9 Best slack 10/6 10/6 Secondary slack 9/9 9/9 Common do 9/3 9/3